WHAT WERE YOU LIKE AS A STUDENT?

I was always a good student .  Perhaps I had added incentive because my dad was on the Sussex school board.; the village in which I was raised.

WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO BE A TEACHER?

During my youth, girls could be either a teacher, nurse, or secretary.  I cringed at the thought or sight of blood, so nursing was out!  My mother was a secretary, so that was eliminated.  That left teaching.  Luckily, I also enjoyed children.  

WHY DID YOU BECOME A WILDCAT?

I left my only teaching job in Waukesha public Schools when Act 10 came into existence after 38 years of teaching.  I had always wanted to teach for 40 years.  Knowing that I was not going to be working, I was invited to work at a local jewelry store in Waukesha (one of my favorite shopping haunts).  I worked there  for 6 years when the owner retired and sold the business to an associate. By the time I resigned I had bought myself and my relatives more jewelry than they ever knew they wanted or needed.  Following that job experience, I took a job as a Standardized Patient at the Medical College of Wisconsin - my daughter’s alma mater.  I worked with medical students who were taking their clinical exams.  Idid that for several years, but I felt I needed more consistent work.  About the same time, Mrs. Stewart called me to ask if I was interested in becoming a part-time ELA teacher for middle school students at Saint Bruno’s.  I then talked to Mrs. MacDonald, telling her of my interest in teaching these Wildcats.  The rest, they say, is history.  I have been here two years, so now I’ve accomplished my goal of teaching forty years!

HOW WERE YOU CALLED TO CHRIST

I am not Catholic, but I was raised and confirmed in the Christian faith.  I served many roles in my home church from Sunday School teacher and choir member to holding several positions  on the church board.  I believe God calls me to serve Him through my employment here at Saint Bruno’s.

It is my calling in life to improve the quality of life of others.  I believe I do this through education and this brings me great fulfillment.  I feel very blessed.     

HOW DO YOU SPEND YOUR TIME OUTSIDE OF SCHOOL?

I am involved with my extended family who lives primarily in Waukesha County.  Two of my three children also live near me.  This close interaction feeds my soul.  We get together any chance we get; we even play Jackbox games online - a practice we started during the pandemic.  My family loves to play games and card games of all kinds.  We even occasionally go to Potawatomi to play there, too!

WHAT DO YOU WANT PEOPLE TO REMEMBER?

Remember that I love children and want to inspire in them a love of learning.  Remember to always be kind.  Remember that you control your perspective on life.  I love these two quotes:  

“If you believe it’ll work out, you’ll see opportunities.  If you don’t believe it’ll work out, you’ll see obstacles.”  

- Wayne Dyer

 ‘Yesterday I was clever, so I wanted to change the world.  Today I am wise, so I am changing myself.”  - Rumi